Regulatory requirements for MHFs
Part 9 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulation 1994 (the MHF regulations) aims to prevent the occurrence of major accidents at a Major Hazard Facility and to minimise the effects of a major accident if one should occur.
Potential MHFs
The MHF regulations define what type of facilities may have the potential of causing major accidents. For the purpose of the MHF regulations, these facilities are called potential major hazard facilities (potential MHF). Employers in control of these facilities must notify Comcare within three months of the facility commencing operations or before entering the jurisdiction.
Once Comcare receives the notification, the information will be assessed to determine if the facility should be classified as a MHF. Comcare will advise the employer of its decision within six months of the notification being received.
Facilities that are not classified as a MHF will not require any further action under the MHF regulations unless their circumstances change, which may then require them to provide notification as a potential MHF in the future.
Notification pack
The notification pack contains the approved form to notify Comcare if employers are in control of a potential MHF and provides detailed instructions on how to complete the notification form.
The notification pack can be found at:
Also see:
Requirements for employers in control of MHFs
If a facility is classified as a MHF, the employer in control of that facility will be required to implement a safety management system to prevent major accidents, develop a safety report to show evidence that the facility is operated safely and apply to Comcare for a licence to operate the facility.
Approved Assessors for MHFs
To apply for a licence to operate a MHF, an employer must develop a safety report for the facility and have this report assessed by an Approved Assessor.
Further information
If you have any questions regarding the requirements of the MHF regulations please call the HAZMAT team on 1300 366 979 or email HelpDesk-HAZMAT@comcare.gov.au.